The tender for LNER B17 new build, No. 61662 ‘Manchester United’ will be moving to Sheffield in the coming days after discussions with the haulage contractors were successful, the B17 Steam Locomotive Trust has announced.

61662’s tender is currently in Woking, where it was based as part of the Engine 61662 Appeal – which was aiming to build LNER 61662 Manchester United. However, back in November 2020, the Appeal closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, with work unable to progress.

At the time of the project closing, the project leader said “I’m afraid that this is going to be our very last posting as we have been unable to work on No 61662 for almost a year and many parts are starting to deteriorate.”

But the good news was in store, as parts from 61662 Manchester United were donated to the B17 Steam Locomotive Trust, which is aiming to build LNER B17 61673 Spirit of Sandringham.

Along with the tender, the B17 Trust have also been donated a set of buffers from 61662 Manchester United.

The project already owns the chassis of a GE tender and an LNER tender.

The 2nd LNER tender is more complete, so that will be the basis of a single LNER tender which will be restored for mainline use with modifications completed to increase water capacity. The two tenders will be used to get the best wheels, tyres and axles from either of the two.

If you would like to help the B17 Steam Locomotive Trust in completing their project to put 61673 Spirit of Sandringham on the mainline, then why not become a member by clicking here to visit the project’s website.

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